Motorized pack carrier



Nov. 7, 1961 H. OVERSTREET MOTORIZED PACK CARRIER Filed Jan 50, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig 2 84 56 Harry Overstreef INVENTOR.

B Y W M,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 7, 1961 Filed Jan. 30, 1956 mm mm Wm R h m mm R vn R mm 3 .mm .\wm W H QT m vv u\nun||uuunuuunuHunnuHnnnuJ\J v H S Q R R. NM a :5 %N gag-55$ vn E vm v 4% 1 F R y mm mw kn mm United States Patent 3,007,536 MOTORIZED PAUK CARRIER Harry I. Overstreet, Rte. 1, Box 588, Quincy, Calif.

- Filed Jan. 30, 1956, Ser. No. 562,131

Claims. (Cl. 180--19) ,This invention comprises novel and useful improve ments in a motorized pack carrier and more specifically relates to a motor driven barrow-like apparatus for carrying heavy packages.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a power-propelled barrow which may be easily controlled and manually operated by the user to assist the latter in carrying heavy packages and the like.

An additional object is toiprovide an apparatus having a brake mechanism whereby the movement of the loaded device can be readily controlled on inclines.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in conformity with the foregoing object in which the source of power shall be detachably secured to the device in such a manner as to facilitate its removal or attachment to the device and to facilitate servicing of the same.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in accordance with the preceding objects having an improved means for connecting the source of power to the supporting wheel of the apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, in conformity with the preceding objects which shall have an improved frame construction rendering the device more sturdy, as well as aflording a more satisfactory bed for the placing of objects thereon to be carried by the device.

These together With other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view showing a preferred embodiment of apparatus incorporating therein the principles of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement of FIGURE 1, the prime mover and certain of the driving connections being removed, and a part of the supporting frame being shown in horizontal section;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view of the apparatus taken from the other side of FIGURE 1;

. FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 5 is a detailed view taken in transverse section substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

' The self-powered barrow illustrated in the drawings as exemplifying one satisfactory mode for practicing the principles of this invention consists of a supporting frame which comprises a pair of longitudinally extending side frame members each indicated by the numeral 10, and which are rigidly secured in side-by-side relation as by suitable cross members 12. At their rear ends, the side frame members terminate in handles 14. Extending forwardly from their forward ends a shelf or bracket 16 is provided which is rigidly secured to the side frame members as by angulated bars 18. The bracket or shelf 16 serves as a mounting for a power plant 20 which may consist of a gasoline engine or any other suitable source of power, the same being provided with a driving pulley 22 whereby power is supplied to the device as set forth hereinafter.

Adjacent the forward ends of the side frame members Patented Nov. 7, 1961 10 there is secured to the underside of the same a pair of journals 24 by means of which a transverse axle 26 is rotatably carried by the supporting frame. Fixedly secured to this axle is a wheel 28 such as a bicycle wheel or the like which constitutes the sole wheeled support for supporting and for driving the apparatus.

A pair of support members 30 are rigidly secured to the side frame members intermediate their ends and preferably at about the mid-portion of both the side frame members and the support members in a relatively inclined manner. The lower portions 32 of the support members extend rearwardly and downwardly and terminate adjacent and below the rear ends of the side frame members 10, and are rigidly connected thereto by vertically extending braces 34, as shown best in FIGURES 1 and 3.

The support members have their upper portions 36 extending upwardly to a position adjacent the front end of the side frame members and above the support wheel 28. A pair of forward braces 38 rigidly connect the upper ends of the upper portions 36 with the forward ends of the side frame members 10. Intermediate braces 40 are provided to rigidity and brace the upper portion 36 by connecting the same with the side frame members as shown in FIGURES 1 and 3.

A countershaft 42, see also FIGURE 5, is journaled upon the forward braces 38 as by journal bearings 44,

' and at one end is provided with a pulley 46 which is connected as by a belt 48 with the motor pulley 22 whereby motion is imparted to the countershaft.

Also secured upon the countershaft is a sprocket gear 50 which is connected as by a sprocket chain 52 with the sprocket gear 54 which is carried by the shaft 26 or by the support wheel 28. It will thus be apparent that power is transmitted from the power plant 20 by means of the pulleys 22, 46 and the belt 48 and the sprocket gears 50 and 54 and the sprocket chain 52 to the support Wheel 28.

In order to control the operation of the power plant, the carburetor of the latter, not shown, has its throttle valve operatively connected to and controlled by a control cable 56 of the Bowden wire type, which cable extends along the frame side member and is connected to a manual control lever 58 which is pivoted as at 60 to the handle 14 of one of the side members 10. Inasmuch as the actual construction of this control mechanism for the throttle valve of the carburetor is conventional, a further reference to the same is deemed to be unnecessary, it merely being the location of the control means which is important for the purposes of this invention.

In order to control the operative connection of the power plant with the supporting and driving wheel 28, there is provided as shown in FIGURE 3 a bell crank 62 having a fulcrum pin 64 carried by the power plant 20, and having upon one arm a belt tightening pulley 66 adapted to engage the belt 48 when the lever is rocked in one direction. To the other arm of the lever is connected by .a tension spring 68, a Bowden wire control cable 70 whose other end is secured to a manual control or lever 72 by means of an intermediate lever 74, as shown in FIGURE 2.

It will thus be seen that the user while grasping the handles of the device for guiding the same in the manner of a wheelbarrow, can readily control with his thumbs the control means or control levers for the power plant and for the clutch mechanism. As will be understood, the latter serves to selectively tension or loosen the driving belt 48 and thereby operative'ly connect or disconnect the driving pulley 22 of the power plant with the driven pulley 46 of the countershaft.

The bed of the apparatus, by means of which articles are stacked upon and carried by the device, includes longitudinal members 76 which are supported upon and above the side frame members 10 as by transverse beams 78, to-

gether with inclined members 80 which are secured to and rest upon the upwardly inclined upper portions 36 of the support members 30.

In order to further rigidify and strengthen the framework of this device, there are provided diagonal, horizontally extending adjustable cross braces consisting of the brace rods 80, each of which is provided with a turnbuckle 82 for adjusting the tension of the same, and each of which has its opposite ends anchored as by bolts 84 to the top surfaces of opposite side frame members 10.

As shown in FIGURE 4, there is also provided diagonal, vertically extending transverse adjustable cross braces, each consisting of a. rod 86 having an adjusting turnbuckle 88 therein and each of which is anchored at its opposite extremities to suitable supports of a side frame member and an opposite lower portion of a support member.

It will thus be apparent that the frame is strongly braced both laterally and longitudinally.

From the foregoing, it is believed that the operation of the device will be readily understood. The lower portions 32 of the support members constitute legs whereby the apparatus may be rested upon the ground in a substantially level position. When the bed of the device has been loaded, the hands are lifted by the operator, and by manipulating the two control levers 58 and 72, the apparatus and its load will be self-propelled thereby relieving the user from the necessity for pushing or pulling the same. It will be observed that the power plant is mounted at the front end of the device whereby its weight will assist in counterbalancing to some extent the weight of the frame; and whereby the power plant may be readily serviced or removed as desired.

The countershaft, forming a part of the driving mechanism between the power plant and the supporting and driving wheel is mounted upon the upwardly extending front braces 38 and the upper portions 36 of the support members, which latter not only serve to support the countershaft but also constitute guards or shields for the upper portion of the supporting wheel.

As shown in FIGURES 1-3 and 5, a brake mechanism, manually operable, is provided to enable the progress of the device to be easily controlled when descending inclined surfaces. Thus, a conventional internal brake drum 51 is secured to the shaft 42 and cooperates, with an expanding brake shoe 53 mounted upon one of the members 38. A brake actuating lever 55 is connected to the sleeve and is controlled by its connection with the flexible control cable 57 operated by the hand lever 59 suitably mounted upon the handle 14 as shown in FIGURE 2.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A supporting frame for use in a motorized pack carrier of the type having a single support wheel, a power plant and driving means connecting the power plant and support wheel comprising; a pair of straight side beams disposed substantially horizontal and in side-by-side relation, means on said side members disposed inwardly from one end thereof for rotatably mounting said wheel between said side beams, further means on said side beams for supporting said power plant beyond the ends thereof, a pair of straight support members each secured at a midpoint thereof to a side beam in inclined relation thereto, said support members having rearwardly and downwardly extending lower ends terminating adjacent and below the rear ends of said side beams and constituting legs cooperating with said wheel for supporting the frame in substantially level position upon the ground, said support members having forwardly and upwardly extending upper ends terminating adjacent and above the front end of said side members and above said wheel, end braces connecting the forward ends of said upper ends and said side beams, the lower ends of said end members engaging said side beams forwardly of said wheel, said upper ends and braces comprising guards upon opposite sides of and projecting above said wheel, said end braces having lower portions projecting below said side beams, said power plant support means being secured to and carried by said lower portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 including diagonal, horizontally extending adjustable cross braces each connected at its forward end to a side beam adjacent and rearwardly of said wheel, and forwardly of the attachment of said support members to said side beams and at its rearward end to the opposite side beams.

3. The combination of claim 1 including a flat load supporting bed mounted upon said side beams, and including a horizontal portion extending from the support members rearwardly along said side beams.

4. The combination of claim 1 including a flat load supporting bed mounted upon said side beams and including a vertically inclined portion extending along and carried by said upper ends of said support members.

5. The combination of claim 1 including a flat load supporting bed mounted upon said side beams, and including a horizontal portion extending from the support members rearwardly along said side beams, and including a vertically inclined portion extending along and carried by said upper ends of said support members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES'PATENTS 290,156 Whitney Dec. 11, 1883 1,437,667 McCarthy, Jr Dec. 5, 1922 1,657,514 Miller Jan. 31, 1928 2,221,834 Garlinghouse Nov. 19, 1940 2,253,288 De Lucchi Aug. 19, 1941 2,520,835 England Aug. 29, 1950 2,545,735 Howard Mar. 20, 1951 2,567,423 Cleghorn Sept. 11, 1951 2,656,894 Giovannoni Oct. 27, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 697,259 France Oct. 27, 1930 

